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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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News on Asuka M4A3(76)W Sherman Thunderbolt?
Petition2God
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 12:09 AM UTC
So Asuka (formerly TASCA) announced a new M4A3(76)W Sherman Thunderbolt kit last week or so. Any news about this?? Coming from Asuka, it's going to be an amazing kit but was wondering if people have any more info.

jwest21
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 12:36 AM UTC
I have their first M4A3(76)W kit- very nice. I'd guess this was the same kit with new decals, maybe with a few different parts if needed.
qcarr1
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 01:16 AM UTC
I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.
Dannyd
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 01:43 AM UTC
Another question for the Sherman experts.

Can I build a M4A3(w) 76mm with the Asuka M4A3E2 Jumbo boxing?

I know the turret is different as it has the large single loaders hatch instead of the split round hatch. Was this configuration ever built/fielded, I have two Jumbo kits but would like to make one as M4A3(W) 76mm.

Cheers

Dan
kennethc
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 01:57 AM UTC
Dan, The hatches are not the only difference. The turret is completely different due to the extra armor.
Dannyd
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 02:06 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Dan, The hatches are not the only difference. The turret is completely different due to the extra armor.


Thanks Kenneth,

I did wonder and thanks for replying, I could of made a real mess of a kit. Back to looking for a cheap M4A3(W) 76 then

Cheers

Dan
Petition2God
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 02:24 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.


I have not paid more than $75 USD including shipping for Asuka Sherman kits so far. $100. No way - unless you choose the fast shipping. Looks like you can order directly from Asuka and choose the SAL shipping option. http://tasca-shop.ocnk.net/product/87 for about $55. More on http://tasca-shop.ocnk.net/product-list/11
Dragon kit is somewhat rare to find nowadays also, and I think it's about the same price on Ebay if I remember correctly ($50-60 plus shipping).
Dannyd
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 02:44 AM UTC
Cheers Guys for the links.

Just ordered the complete turret sprue for the M4A3(W)76

With shipping it cost £3.64 to the UK, that's a bargain


Dan
jwest21
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 04:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.
I have one...do you have any modern armor to possible trade? Send me a PM if interested
ALBOWIE
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 05:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Dan, The hatches are not the only difference. The turret is completely different due to the extra armor.


Thanks Kenneth,

I did wonder and thanks for replying, I could of made a real mess of a kit. Back to looking for a cheap M4A3(W) 76 then

Cheers

Dan


Try E Bay for DML's kitting of the M4A3 76. Not as good as the Tasca with a few minor fit issues common to DML Shermans. Good value kit particularly the Battle of the Bulge one with Thunderbolt Markings, later reissued minus the figures as a premium kit with a few tweaks. Still doesn't beat a Tasca one though
Al
ALBOWIE
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 05:57 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Cheers Guys for the links.

Just ordered the complete turret sprue for the M4A3(W)76

With shipping it cost £3.64 to the UK, that's a bargain


Dan


have you got a current link to their online ordereing?
Al
Petition2God
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 06:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Cheers Guys for the links.

Just ordered the complete turret sprue for the M4A3(W)76

With shipping it cost £3.64 to the UK, that's a bargain


Dan


have you got a current link to their online ordereing?
Al


Here: http://tasca-shop.ocnk.net/product-list/6
marcb
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 08:46 AM UTC
Some M4A3E2's were rearmed with 76mm guns. So that's another option...
KenLawrence
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PACIFIC COAST MODELS
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 09:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.


We have it for $61.95 at www.pacmodels.com.

Thanks,

Ken Lawrence
Pacific Coast Models, Inc.
ALBOWIE
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 10:12 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Cheers Guys for the links.

Just ordered the complete turret sprue for the M4A3(W)76

With shipping it cost £3.64 to the UK, that's a bargain


Dan


have you got a current link to their online ordereing?
Al


Here: http://tasca-shop.ocnk.net/product-list/6


Many thanks
Cantstopbuyingkits
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 04:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.


HLJ has it for £27:

http://hlj.com/product/TAC35019/Mil


put italicized text here
qcarr1
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 04:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.
I have one...do you have any modern armor to possible trade? Send me a PM if interested


Thanks, Jason! Unfortunately, I don't have any modern armor. I will check out one of the links in this thread.
highpoint
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 07:08 PM UTC
Hey Danny,

You can use the lower hull from the Jumbo kit. Just leave the extra armor plates off. It is the same as the M4A3 76(w) kit. You just need a different turret. You can use either a turret with round loaders hatch or the oval one.

Jeff
Dannyd
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 09:11 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hey Danny,

You can use the lower hull from the Jumbo kit. Just leave the extra armor plates off. It is the same as the M4A3 76(w) kit. You just need a different turret. You can use either a turret with round loaders hatch or the oval one.

Jeff


Cheers Jeff, I ordered a turret direct from Askua , less than 5 bucks delivered you can't go wrong.

Dan
GeraldOwens
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Posted: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 - 09:28 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.

Dragon's Battle of the Bulge M4A3 kit has been superseded by their M4A3 Premium Edition kit, which has an improved turret (loader's hatch is in the correct position, and the lifting rings on the mantlet have been corrected). Dragon has incrementally improved their Sherman kits over the years with no fanfare (not wanting to admit they had gotten something wrong, I suppose--much like Tamiya's correcting of their Tiger turrets without telling anyone).
trickymissfit
Joined: October 03, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 11:21 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I've been trying to find that original Asuka/TASCA M4A3(76)W, but can't find it for under ~$100 (including shipping from Japan). Are their kits always this expensive? Should I instead grab the Dragon M4A3(76)W VVSS Sherman Battle of the Bulge kit?

Thanks.


We have it for $61.95 at www.pacmodels.com.

Thanks,

Ken Lawrence
Pacific Coast Models, Inc.


You really need to post on here that your doing a PTO M4a2 this June or July!!!

Setting here waiting for my three kits!
gary
Dannyd
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Posted: Saturday, April 30, 2016 - 06:33 PM UTC
My Tasca 76mm turret turned up yesterday, not bad at all
so I can now crack on with another Sherman Build.

Credit to Tasca or Askua for fast shipping and a great price.

Cheers

Dan
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